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'90 Renix Wont start...

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Old 11-29-2011, 11:33 AM
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Default '90 Renix Wont start...

Recently was running, then I changed the plugs and wires and now it does not. I re-did the plugs and wires again and still nothing. We have proper spark and fuel coming in. The injectors pulse and spray in the chambers. We reset the timing to TDC. Tried to "unplug" or "bypass" the CPS and still nothing. We thought that maybe the camshaft had went so we pulled the valve cover and everything seems to be moving just fine. I am not sure what else could be the issue. Any options???
Old 11-29-2011, 11:39 AM
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Not even a Chug?
Old 11-29-2011, 11:39 AM
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it does chug, but not all the time. The only time it back fired was when the timing was way off
Old 11-29-2011, 11:42 AM
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It has to be the firing order. Think you could have started the sequence one post off on the distributor? You cannot set the timing on these motors so I don't know what you did there.
Old 11-29-2011, 11:48 AM
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Did you pull the distributor at all? If so, maybe when you put it back in, you did so at 180 degrees out? Just a thought.


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Old 12-01-2011, 07:54 PM
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Did pull the distributor. Reset the timing on TDC on #1. 1-5-3-6-2-4 is the firing order I have. I pulled the valve cover to double check all my valves while I turn the engine and everything looks like it is dead on. The only thing I have not got into yet is the timing chain itself. I know the pan has to be dropped to get into it. I had a somewhat dull spark so I tried a new coil and ignition module but that didnt do anything. Think it may be off timing at the chain??
Old 12-01-2011, 08:53 PM
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It's very easy to index the distributor off on these engines.
Old 12-02-2011, 11:57 AM
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I am pretty sure timing is fully set on. Unless the chain jumped on the sprocket it is set correctly. I am not sure what else to do, but I have a feeling it is the ECU.
Old 12-02-2011, 12:10 PM
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did you go by the firing order in the repair manual like this using the screws to cap as reference
Attached Thumbnails '90 Renix Wont start...-1019102204a_321664.jpg  

Last edited by freegdr; 12-02-2011 at 12:17 PM.
Old 12-02-2011, 12:15 PM
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a bad/jump timing chain on a 4.0 is very uncommon
Old 12-02-2011, 12:18 PM
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If all you did was change wires and plugs and now it doesnt start it sounds like you are 1 plug off the rotation in the dist. try this. pull the #1 plug put your finger over the plug hole and block the hole tightly. have some one bump the motor a little at a time. when the comperssion blows off your finger you are at #1 comperssion stroke. hen remove the dist cap and see if the rotor is pointing directly at the wire going to the #1 cyl.
Old 12-02-2011, 12:20 PM
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if you used the above diag its wrong the screws on the cap are in the wrong position ,that will cause the firing order to be in correcdt

Last edited by freegdr; 12-02-2011 at 12:29 PM.
Old 12-03-2011, 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by freegdr
a bad/jump timing chain on a 4.0 is very uncommon
This is what I thought. When the engine did run, I did not hear the timing chain at all.
Originally Posted by TheGreatGazoo
If all you did was change wires and plugs and now it doesnt start it sounds like you are 1 plug off the rotation in the dist. try this. pull the #1 plug put your finger over the plug hole and block the hole tightly. have some one bump the motor a little at a time. when the comperssion blows off your finger you are at #1 comperssion stroke. hen remove the dist cap and see if the rotor is pointing directly at the wire going to the #1 cyl.
It originally had the wrong plugs in it. It had a very short threaded plug, not the regular truck plug it requires. I had to use some threading oil and had to clear the carbon build up to get the new plugs in. Everything is set properly. TDC is on #1.
Originally Posted by freegdr
if you used the above diag its wrong the screws on the cap are in the wrong position ,that will cause the firing order to be in correcdt
It has the correct firing order, and a similar layout of the firing order on the cap.


One thing I did notice, the mounting plate on the distributor has been fully rounded off. There is a distributor mounting plate that holds it down now. This is the way I bought it, so I am sure timing was WAY off when I purchased it. But after resetting it all back to normal, now it wont fire at all.
Old 12-03-2011, 03:33 PM
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going by the screws on the cap in the above diag its incorrect
Old 12-03-2011, 03:36 PM
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this is the correct screw location and no1 spark plug wire when on tdc compression stroke,there are two tdc settings
Attached Thumbnails '90 Renix Wont start...-9059fig28l.jpg  


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